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Paying for care in North Carolina

Getting paid to care for a family member in North Carolina

Yes. In North Carolina, a family member can be paid to give care through Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA), Coordinated Caregiving and Home Care Independence. Whether a spouse can be paid depends on conditions, which the page on getting paid sets out with their sources.

Respite care for family caregivers in North Carolina

Yes. In North Carolina, family caregivers can get respite through three programs on record: CAP/DA Respite Care, NC Lifespan Respite Program and Family Caregiver Support Program.

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Programs on record

How to apply

Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA)

How to apply

Contact a local CAP/DA case management entity in the county where the applicant lives to request a CAP/DA referral. NC Medicaid publishes a list of CAP/DA case management agencies by county.

If the person does not have Medicaid yet, NC Medicaid's How to Apply page at medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/apply explains how to apply (CAP/DA fact sheet).

Source: Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) (NC Medicaid)Checked

Phone

888-245-0179

The NC Medicaid Contact Center, the contact the CAP/DA page lists. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on state holidays.

Source: Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) (NC Medicaid)Checked

Home Care Independence

How to apply

The Division of Aging funds local providers to offer the service. Use the Home Care Independence Provider Directory on the program page to find a local provider.

Source: Home Care Independence (NCDHHS Division of Aging)Checked

CAP/DA Respite Care

How to apply

In-home respite is authorized by the CAP/DA case manager. The use of respite must be told to the case manager within 12 hours of the need, unless it is an emergency.

To request CAP/DA, contact a local CAP/DA case management entity in the county where the applicant lives (NC Medicaid CAP/DA page).

Source: Clinical Coverage Policy No. 3K-2, Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) (NC Medicaid, amended September 1, 2025)Checked

NC Lifespan Respite Program

How to apply

A local professional organization must refer you and completes the online application for you. You then sign the Caregiver Certification, electronically or on paper. Funds must be used within 90 days.

Source: NC Lifespan Respite Program (NCDHHS Division of Aging)Checked

Family Caregiver Support Program

How to apply

Find a program in your area in the Family Caregiver Support Program Provider Directory linked on the program page.

Source: Family Caregiver Support Program (NCDHHS Division of Aging)Checked

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